Collapsible carriage.



G. E. CLEVELAND.

GOLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1910.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA ILANDCIIIAPH 50., WASHINGTON. I). c.

G. E. CLEVELAND.

GOLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1910. 1,090,]. 35. Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

3 SKBETB-BHEBT 2.

W a U m im L w W G. E. CLEVELAND.

COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1910.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

3 HHEETB-SHEET 3.

Mung 6 GROVER EZRA CLEVELAND, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN,

GO-CART COMPANY, OF STURGIS,

ASSIGNOR TO STURGIS STEEL MICHIGAN.

COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

Letters Patent. Original application filed August 30, 1909, Serial No. 515,206.

Specification of Patented Mar. 17, 1914;.

Divided and this application filed August 22, 1910. Serial No. 578,831.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnovnu lflzna Cnnvn- LAND, citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible carriages.

My improvements are particularly applicable to and I have embodied them in practice and here illustrate them in a structure of the type shown in my application for Letters Patent filed August 30, 1909, Serial No. 515,206, of which application this is a division.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide in a collapsible carriage an improved adjustable and collapsible back. Second, to provide in a collapsible carriage improved collapsible sides for the seat, the same being adapted to collapse or fold upon the collapsed back and seat when the carriage is folded.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The structure described constitutes one effective embodiment of my invention. ()thcr embodiments would be readily devised by those skilled in the art.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting an effective and preferred embodiment of the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention, the wheels on one side being removed and a portion of the handle being broken away. 2 is an enlarged detail side elevation with parts broken away to better show structural details and arrangement. Fig. is a detail rear elevation of the seat and back. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on a line Fig.

corresponding to the irregular line Jrl of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. (i is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 77 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing the structural details of the seat sides.

in the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the running gear frame. The handle 2 is secured at the rear end of the running gear frame by means of the pivots 3. The wheel supports are pivotally supported in hangers 5 on a running gear frame. The wheel supports 4t are preferably formed of rods hav ing downwardly projecting wheel carrying arms 6 thereon, provided with suitable journals for the wheels 8. The wheel supports are supported so that they a re free to swing to permit the folding of wheels upon each other under the running gear frame. The wheel supports are erected and collapsed by means of the levers 9 which are pivoted to the running gear frame at 10. The upper ends of the lovers 9 are connected to the handle by means of the links 11. These links are preferably adapted to form the side bars of the seat, their rear ends being connected to the handle 2 by the pivots 12. The handle is adapted to swing forwardly upon the running gear frame when the structure is collapsed. The levers 9 project downwardly below their pivots to engage the cam members 13. \Vhen the levers are actuated the wheel supports are, through the co-action of the lovers and these cams, collapsed and erected. The levers 9 are locked in their erected position and the wheel supports are braced by means of the braces 14; and 15 which are pivoted on the running gear frame at 16 and 17, respectively. These braces are connected by the links 18 and 19 to the lever 9, so that they are actuated through the actuation of the levers. The wheel supports are provided with clips adapted to receive these braces when the parts are in their erected position. As these wheel collapsing and bracing features are the subject matter of claims in my application for Letters Patent referred to, they are not illustrated and described in detail herein.

The seat 21 is preferably supported at its forward end by means of the bracket 22 which has downwardly and forwardly projecting arms pivoted on running gear frame at 17 The rear end of the seat is carried by the springs 28 mounted on the cross piece of the running gear frame. This gives the seat a free pivotal movement and secures the full. effect of the springs 23. These springs are preferably coiled springs as illustrated. The back 25 is adjustably sup ported and also supported to be automatically collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the carriage. This I preferably accomplish by providing supporting members 26 which are secured to the seatto project upwardly at the sides thereof. These supporting members are slotted at 27 to receive the pivots 28 for the back. The back is provided with the down wardly facing segment members 29 adapted to engage the pins 30 on the members 26, thus providing a slip connection for the back to the seat and segment members for adjustably supporting the back. The teeth in these segments in the structure illustrated face forwardly so that the back can be automatically collapsed whatever its adjusted position may be.

To automatically collapse and erect the back I connect the same to the levers 9, preferably through the links 31 having slots '32 therein adapted to receive the pins 33 on the levers 34 which are pivoted at 30 to the seat. The upper ends of these levers 34 are connected to the back by a slip connection, preferably consisting of the pins 36 on the back arranged in the slots 37 of the levers 3a. This permits the adjustment of the back, and when the carriage is erected the back is also collapsed or erected.

' The seat is preferably provided with folding sides adapted to fold inwardly when the carriage is collapsed. These sides are formed of sections as 38 and 39 adapted to fold upon each other when collapsed. The sides are preferably formed of outer layers 40 of leather, or other suitable material, and a layer of stiffening material 41, the stiffening material being scored to form a hinge connection 42 for the sections.

In the structure illustrated the upper edges of the sections 88 of the sides are secured to the side bars, or links 11, while the sections 39 are secured to the levers 9, the

hinge connections for the sections being diagonally disposed. This forms a very simple and attractive form of collapsible side. W h en the carriage is erected this side hangs or lies flat, without wrinkles, and has the appearance of a single piece of material. The structure also has an attractive appearance when folded, that is, the sides lie flat and have a neat appearance.

The back preferably consists of a board like body portion 43, provided with a front covering 4-4 and a rear covering 45. The front covering is provided with a suitable packing or filling 4&6. The edges of the covering are brought to the edges of the body and secured by the binding 4K This binding is U-shaped in cross section and clamps the covering to the body, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The binding (l7 is formed of metal and serves not only to secure the covering to the body, but also to reinforce the body so that it may be formed. of thin material, the binding being extended across the top and down each side of the body. This binding also serves as a means for attachment of the back support-ing means. To prevent the spreading of the binding, T preferably provide a strap-like cross piece 48 which is arranged across the back, as shown in 3, and secured by arranging its hooked ends 4:9 through suitable holes provided therefor in the rear edge of the binding. (See Fig. 7.) The foot rest 50 is pivo-tally mounted on the seat bracket 22 at 51 to be adjustably supported by means of the brace-like support 52. As the details of this foot rest form no part of this present invention they are not fully described herein.

T have illustrated and described my improvements in detail in the form in which I have embodied them in practice. I am aware, however, that they are capable of considerable variation in structural details without departing from my invention, and I wish to be understood as claiming the same specifically in the form illustrated. as well. as broadly.

Having thus I claim as new and ters Patent is:

1.. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a back; means for adjustably supporting said. back comprising slotted hinge members mounted on said seat, pivots on said back arranged in said slots in said hinge members, segments on said back, pins on said hinge members with which said segments are described by invention, what desire to secure by Let- 1 adapted. to engage; and means for actuating said back comprising a slotted link pivotally mounted on one of the said wheel support actuating levers, a slotted lever pivotally mounted on one of said hinge members, a pin on said back arranged in the slot at said lever, and a )in on said lever arranged in the slot of said link. I

2. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with collapsible wheel supports; means for actuating said. wheel supports; a seat; a back; means for adj ustably supporting said back comprising slotted hinge members mounted on said seat, pivots on said back arranged in said slots in said hinge members, segments on said back, pins on said hinge members with which said segments are adapted to engage; and means for actuating said back comprising a slotted link, pivotally connected to said wheel support actuating means, a slotted lever pivotally mounted on one of said hinge members, a pin on said back arranged in the slot of said lever, and a pin on said lever arranged in the slot of said link.

3. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers tor actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted 011 said running gear t'rame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a seat; a back; means for adj ustably supporting said back comprising a segment member and a co-acting engaging member, said segment member and its co-acting engaging member having a pin and slot connection; and means for actuating said back comprising a lever pivotally connected to said seat and having a pin and slot connection with said back and a link pivotally mounted on said wheel support actuating lever and having a pin and slot coimection to said back.

t. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the collapsible wheel supports; means for actuating said wheel supports; a seat; a back; means for adj ustably supporting said back comprising a segment member, and a co-acting engaging member, said segment member and its co acting engaging member having a pin and slot connection; and means for actuating said back comprising a lever pivotally connected to said seat and having a pin and slot connection with said back and a link connected to said wheel support act-uating means and having a pin and slot connection with said lever connected to said back.

5. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports: levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a

seat mounted on said running gear frame independently of said handle and said wheel support actuating means; a back; means for adjustably supporting said back comprising a segment member and a co-acting engaging member, said member having a slip Con- 5 ncction; and means for actuating said back comprising a link connected to one of the said wheel support actuating levers, and a lever connected to said back, said link and lever being connected with a slip connection.

a. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear 't'rame' connecting links for said levers and handle; a seat; a back; means -lor adjustablv supporting said back comprising a segment mem her and a co-acting engaging member, said member having a slip connection; and means for actuating said back comprising a link connected to one ot the said whecl support actuatii'lg levers, and a lever connected to said back, said link and lever being connected with a slip connection.

T. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; collapsible wheel supports: means for actuating said wheel supports; a seat mounted on said gear frame independently of said wheel support actuating means; a back; means for adjustablv supporting said back comprising a seg ment member and a co-acting engaging member, said member having a slip connection; and means for actuating said back comprising a link connection to one of the said wheel support actuating means, and a lever connected to said back, said link and lover having a slip connection.

8. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the collapsible wheel supports; means for actuating said wheel supports; a seat; a back; means for adjustably support ing said back comprising a segment member and a co-acting engaging member, said members having a slip connection; and means for actuating said back comprising a link connection to the said wheel support actuating means and a lever connected to said back said link and lever having a slip connection.

9. In a collapsible carriage, the combina tion with a running gear frame; of a handle. pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; UOllaPSlblU wheel supports: levers tor actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear :trame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a seat mounted on said running gear frame independently of said handle and said wheel support actuating means: a back; means for adjustably supporting said back; and

a connecting link for said back to said levers, said link and back having a slip connection, for the purposes specified.

10. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a seat; a back; means for adjustably supporting said back; and a connecting link for said back to said levers, said link and back having a slip connection, for the purpose specified.

11. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a seat mounted on said running gear frame independently of said handle and said wheel support actuating means; a back; means for adjustably supporting said back; and a connecting link for said back to said levers.

12. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; of a handle pivotally connected to said frame to fold thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and handle; a seat; a back; means for adjustably supporting said back; and a connecting link for said back to said levers.

13. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the running gear frame; collapsible wheel supports; means for actuating said wheel supports; a spring seat mounted on said running gear frame independently of said wheel support actuating means; a back; and means for adjustably supporting said back on said seat comprising slotted hinge members mounted on said seat, pivots on said back arranged in said slots in said hinge members, segments on said back, pins on said hinge members with which said segments are adapted to engage whereby free spring action of said seat and back is secured.

1st. In collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame; collapsible wheel supports; means for actuating said wheel supports; a spring seat mounted on said running gear frame independently of said wheel support actuating means; a back pivotally mounted on said seat; and means for adjustably supporting said back comprising a segment member, and a co-acting engaging member, one of said members being secured to said seat and theother to said mam back, said segment member and its co-acting engaging member having a slip connection whereby free spring action of said seatand back is secured.

15. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports, means for actuating the same, a spring seat carried by said running gear frame and freely movable on its springs independently thereof and of said wheel support actuating means, an adjustable folding back mounted on said seat independently of said actuating means, and a link connection for said actuating means to said back, whereby the back is collapsed on the collapsing of the carriage, there being a slip connection between the back and link, permitting the adjustment of the back on the seat and its movement with the seat on its springs.

16. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports, means for actuating the same, comprising a lever, a spring seat, a back adjustably mounted on said seat, and a connecting link for said back to said lever, said link and back having a slip connection for the purpose specified.

17. In a collapsible carriage, the combination of the running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports means for actuating the same, a spring seat carried by said run ning gear frame and freely movable on its springs independently thereof and of said actuating means, an adjustable folding seat back mounted on and supported by said seat independently of said frame and actuating means, whereby the back moves freely with the seat and in its adjusted relation thereto as the seat. moves on its springs, and connections for said seat back to said actuating means, whereby the back is automatically collapsed on the collapsing of the carriage, said back being adjustably supported independently of said collapsible connections,

said connection permitting free spring action of the seat and back.

18. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports, means for actuating the same, a spring seat freely movable on its springs independent of said frame and said actuating means, and an adjustable folding seat back mounted on and supported by said seat independently of the frame and said actuating means so that the back in its adjusted position moves freely with the seat and in a relatively fixed relation thereto as the seat moves on its supporting springs.

19. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports,means for actuating the same, a spring seat freely movable on its springs independent of said frame and wheel support actuating means, and a folding seat In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set back mounted on and supported by said my hand and seal in the presence of two seat independently of the frame and Wheel witnesses.

support actuating means so that the back GRQVER EZRA CLEVELAND, SJ 5 moves freely With the seat and in a relatively Witnesses:

fixed relation thereto as the seat moves on OTTO F. BARTHEL,

its supporting springs. FLOYD SAWYER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Intent Washington, D. C. 

